Homeschooling in England and Wales

It is estimated that there are now over 50,000 and perhaps as many as 150,000 children between the ages of 5 and 16 who are educated at home in England and Wales. There is every indication that this number is growing.[1] According to other estimates, 30,000 homeschoolers lived in the entire UK in the 2016–2017 school year, a nearly-100% increase from 2011.[2]

Contents

The Law and homeschooling

Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act states that parents are responsible for educating their children "by regular attendance at school or otherwise." "Or Otherwise" has become an unofficial motto among homeschooling parents.

Unless a child has Special Educational Needs and attends a Special School, or has a school attendance order, if you live in England or Wales you don't have to get permission from the Local Education Authority (LEA) to withdraw your child from a state school. However, it is considered polite to tell them that this is what you plan to do. The school should not try to oppose homeschooling: it is a parent's legal right to choose home education for their child if they wish. Parents also do not have to inform the LEA if their child is close to school age and they choose to home educate right from the start. Some families decide to home educate for a few years until they believe their child is more ready for school.

Legal requirements

All a parent needs to be able to do is prove that education is taking place. If the LEA contacts you, you can explain your educational philosophy and any other information by letter.